Building a Christ-Centered home is the ultimate goal for many.
And, while that might look different throughout the seasons of life and from home to home, there are a few common threads you should be able to find in God-honoring homes and families.
Marks of a Christ-Centered Home
First, a Christ-Centered home is marked by love, not perfection.
“As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 6
Where there are stark, cold rules and expectations there is no room for grace.
Nothing says love and acceptance as much as allowing for mistakes and freely forgiving when they happen.
So when Billy tips over that antique vase, love bites its tongue and remembers that harmful words are like a scorching fire. (Proverbs 16:27)
However, should Billy lie about his accident, love also knows stern discipline awaits him who knows to do what is right? (Proverbs 15:10)
In a Christ-centered home that might look like a good talking-to about the necessity of truthfulness and keep our hearts pure before the Lord.
Then at his repentance, grace says, “I forgive you. I love you. Let’s move on from this together.”
Indeed, love isn’t expressed by just a few spoken words. Conversely, it’s shown by actions that genuinely prove others are accepted in this place, insecurities, imperfections, and mistakes intact.
Indeed, love isn't expressed by just a few spoken words. Conversely, it's shown by actions that genuinely prove others are accepted in this place, insecurities, imperfections, and mistakes intact. Click To Tweet
Second, a Christ-centered home is marked by joy.
Correspondingly, joy is not to be confused with happiness. Likewise, happiness is topical.
Joy is a strong underlying current of contentment and thankfulness.
Additionally, joy comes from trusting the Lord when all is not well in life.
Joy is that quiet rest that radiates on our faces even in the midst of trial. Click To Tweet
Joy is a warmth that bounces off the walls and runs rampant through a home that loves what is good in the eyes of the Father.
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45:7
“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are a joy to my heart.” Psalm 119:11
Joy is a warmth that bounces off the walls and runs rampant through a home that loves what is good in the eyes of the Father. Click To Tweet
A Christ-centered home is marked by peace.
“God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
Indeed, a home that exists for His glory can be identified by the order kept in it. Maintaining chaos to minimum results in a welcoming sanctuary for all who enter.
Peace doesn't just happen. We must be proactive in pursuing it. Click To Tweet
Truly, it takes an effort to keep a home at minimal clutter.
It takes an effort to live peaceably with others as much as possible. (Romans 12:18)
And, it takes an effort to find peace when life is hard.
But when we are purposeful about pursuing peace, it guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Practical Everyday Ways to Build a Christ-Centered Home
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Personal and family devotions.
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Pray often. Pray big.
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Communicate. Ask specific questions.
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Really listen.
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Involve everyone.
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Smile a lot.
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Unplug every day.
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Make eye contact.
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Over-use please, thank you, I’m sorry, I love you.
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Make God’s word/name evident in all the rooms of your home and change it up with the seasons.
Make God's word/name evident in all the rooms of your home and change it up with the seasons. Click To Tweet
A Beautiful Way to Keep Christ Central this Christmas
This Christmas season, our family is doing a “Names of Jesus” Advent calendar.
After spending many hours pouring over Advent reading schedules, finding names of Jesus, and customizing readings to go with the names, I knew I had to share!
You can grab your copy here. Just right-click. Save. Print.
May you and I continue spreading the love of Christ by living lives so marked by Him that our homes are only an extension of our hearts.
About the Author:
Kaylene Yoder is just a girl with a sword, a shield, and a strong cup of coffee.
Further, she finds her first ministry to be in her home living out her calling of wife and mother.
In her spare time, she writes to encourage women to thrive well in their current roles.
Be it through sweet encouragement or an occasional dose of humor or spunkiness, her goal remains the same… to point women to the Lord.
Also, you can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter.
Want more Encouragement for Your Home?
7 WAYS TO PRAY FOR THAT ONE WHO’S DRIFTED AWAY FROM GOD
HOW TO PRAY MORE EFFECTIVE PRAYERS FOR MY FAMILY (AND YOURS)
Were you encouraged by what you read?
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Cracking article! Thanks!
Thanks so much, Cassidy!
Blessings,
Melanie
Yes I was very much encouraged. My eyes were open God’s truth about having a christ-centered home. For if we live the truth of Christ it will spill over into our home. Will we will see love, Joy, peace and happiness. Prayer is the key to building a sound foundation that is built on Christ Jesus. Thank you very much and you have a blessed day.
Amen, Stephanie!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Prayer is so essential.
Hope you have a blessed day too~
Melanie
Thank you from a fellow namesake!
Kaylene Robbins
Thank you, Kaylene!
Love love love this: “Over-use please, thank you, I’m sorry, I love you.”
And thanks for the reminder that love is our ultimate goal.
Beautiful reminders:)
Amen, Bomi!
I think my friend Kaylene has shared such a wonderful post here.
Hope you have a wonderful day~
Melanie
Help please !! I do not understand how to get the names of Jesus in the tag form you have beautifully photographed.
All I get when I right click anywhere is a copy of the web page.
This old girl needs assistance if it is available please.
Hey Carrie,
I’m happy to email you these forms if I am able.
My friend Kaylene wrote this post awhile back.
Let me see what I can do!
Blessings,
Melanie
Hello,
Thank you for sharing all these wisdom! I am having the same trouble. I like the list, is there anyway to get the tags with individual names printed on them? Thank you! God bless
Hey Elise,
My friend Kaylene Yoder shared this post. She actually made these cards.
Perhaps you can find them on her site. Try this link – https://kayleneyoder.com/names-of-jesus-prayers/
Appreciate you stopping by,
Melanie
I thank you for the Advent Calendar. May I share this with our church?
Sure!
I just ask that you give credit back to my friend Kaylene at http://www.kayleneyoder.com.
Blessings to you,
Melanie
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that we did your Names of Jesus during Advent this year and LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! I had a favor to ask, if I sent you a list of OT prophesies and a list of references where they are fulfilled in the NT, would you be willing to put them in the same format that you did for the Names of Jesus? We would love to do Prophecies of Jesus (fulfilled!) next Advent. I would gladly pay you if you would be able to put this together! What you put together was lovely!
Thank you again — we are closer to Jesus because you chose to use God’s gifts of creativity in this way!
Thanks so much, Sandi, for letting us know about the Names of Jesus Advent.
This was actually created by my friend Kaylene Yoder.
You can reach her with your questions and requests at this link: http://kayleneyoder.com
I will also forward your comments to her.
She’s a wonderful writer, and I know she will help you as she can!
Grateful that her post encouraged you so much.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
I love the first one, “A Christ centered home is marked by love, not perfection.” I think a common misconception in the secular world is that Christians are/think they are “perfect.” The truth of it is, we know we aren’t, but we know the One who is. It’s often a subject of conversation with people. Thanks for posting!
So glad I found your site through Titus 2 Tuesdays! Can’t wait to check it out!
Hey Kelly,
Glad you found our site through Titus 2! And, please do check out the post and the Marks of a Christ-Centered Home.
Hope you have a great day today~
Melanie
Beautiful post Melanie. Thank you Kaylene for these inspiring words. I love the perspective of joy and peace you share here. I love the quick tips. Thanks for the names of Jesus calendar. I’m familiar with the names, but haven’t taken time to match those names with the scriptures.
Have a beautiful week Melanie.
Thank you, Grace! I’ll pass along your encouraging words to Kaylene!
And, you should stop by and get her free Names of God printables. They looks fabulous!
Sure do appreciate you stopping by to leave a kind word!
Blessings,
Melanie
What a beautiful post! I love Kaylene’s descriptions of what it means to have joy and peace in your home. This is the ultimate reflection of Christ that I find I am constantly working on in my own life to pursue and reflect to my children. Thank you for the encouraging reminder.
Thanks, Valerie!
It is such a well-thought-out and encouraging post, isn’t it!
Hop you are enjoying a sweet Sunday~
Melanie
Wonderful words written here. So many need Jesus in their homes and their lives. Let this be a testimony to many Lord! I knew many of these names for Jesus, but learned some new ones too.
These are some great words, aren’t they, Michelle!
Thanks for stopping by to leave a kind word for Kaylene!
Hope you have a blessed day today~
Melanie
Thank you so much for the invitation to share here, Melanie!
Thanks, Kaylene, for sharing this post today!
I love the freebies and all of the wonderful ideas!
I believe many are going to be blessed by your message and your ministry!
Hope you have a blessed weekend~
Melanie
Thank you for the link back!
Hope you have a blessed day!